ESPN RISE

Girls' Basketball - Murry Bergtraum

For the first time in a while, the Blazers didn't have a McDonald's All-American last year. The program that had produced Epiphanny Prince (now at Rutgers) and Erica Morrow (Syracuse) had plenty of talent but no superstar. So how did Ed Grezinsky's squad respond? By going 25-0, winning its 10th straight PSAL title, claiming another state crown and finishing No. 1 in the ESPN RISE FAB 50. "It's great to have players like [Epiphanny and Erica] because they can carry the team, but it's nice to have a balanced team," Grezinsky says. "I've always found that the hardest teams to play against are the ones that have five girls that can all come at you in different ways." And that's what the Blazers have. Junior Doris Ortega, the No. 56 junior in the ESPNU HoopGurlz Super 60, sets the tone, along with senior guard Shanee Williams and junior guard Shakurah Washington. "Doris is a very balanced player who can score from the outside or inside," Grezinsky says. "Shanee is a very tough, tenacious defensive player. And Shakurah is also very tough. She hits the boards and scores a lot on putbacks." Junior guard Cece Dixon and sophomore guard Laray Drayton will be key. Junior forwards Janelle Linton and Natalia Herbert provide size, while junior guard Champagne Hazel brings energy. So while they might not have an All-American, the Blazers have proven that's not necessary to win.

Boys' Basketball - Boys & Girls

The Kangaroos will once again try to knock Lincoln off the top perch in the PSAL. While Railsplitters star Lance Stephenson goes for his fourth consecutive league title, Boys & Girls counters with senior guard Lamount Samuell. He will be helped by fellow ESPN RISE All-Area selection and senior guard Anton Dickerson, who averaged eight points per game last year. Coach Ruth Lovelace's squad might not get by Lincoln, but it will be there until the very end.

Girls' Bowling - East Islip

When it comes to bowling on Long Island, it's pretty much East Islip and then everybody else. Of the five bowlers named to Newsday's All-Long Island team, four rolled with the Redmen. While two of those players (Gina Capone and Emily Fischer) graduated, senior Ali Martin and sophomore Tara Ernst return. Martin averaged a 208.5 during the season and finished 11th at the state meet, while Ernst averaged a 196.9 during the year and was fifth at state.

Wrestling - Hauppauge

The Eagles went 22-0 last year, finished second in Section XI and finished the season ranked No. 6 in the large schools division of the New York State Sports Writers Association rankings. A pair of juniors who made Newsday's All-Long Island team in 2008 return. Ken Collado, who won a state championship at 103 last year, and Stephen Dutton, who went 38-1 last year and placed third at state at 130, are back. With those two leading the way and some potential breakout stars behind them, Hauppauge is ready to shine.

BREAK OUT TEAMS

WRESTLING  SYOSSET
Junior Nick Arujau went a perfect 44-0 and captured state title at 112 pounds.

GIRLS'TRACK  HEMPSTEAD
Middle-distance star Charlene Lipsey, now a senior, was named Runner of the Year by Newsday last winter.

BOYS' BASKETBALL  AMITYVILLE
Senior Steve Medard and sophomore Darien Croft set the pace.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL  JEFFERSON
Senior Alicia Cropper averaged 20 points per game in leading Lady Orange Wave to PSAL quarters.